I really enjoyed General Conference. I loved Sister Oscarsen’s talk “Do I Believe?” It resonated with my spirit and added to my own testimony that I can say boldly but humbly “Yes! I Believe !” There were a lot of uplifting messages and I can't wait to read. I get different insights from reading the talks as well. We are still loving our Sunday walks. Jessie has found a shortcut that passes by a small neighborhood park. We stop there so she can swing on the circle swing for a bit. Today Allie left to go home. I have so loved having her here and I will miss her almost immediately when she walks out our door. She is excited for Jamaica as are the other kids. Her senior year is winding down. The whole thought is foreign to me. Really, is she old enough to be graduating? She is and I am excited for her to take the next steps in life. Seems scary but it brings growth and other new adventures with it. 😃
Well so while running this morning I had extreme pain in my right hip. So much that I had to stop running and just walk but I needed to get back to the church to take Zac to school. I attempted a hobbled walk run so I could get back in a timely manner. Uuggh I hate injuries. 😩 After getting the kids to school and meeting with the AP’s I sent my weekly missionary email highlighting the women's general meeting. I enjoyed reading the talks and being able share some of the insight I received. I finished up the April Birthday poster for the mission office. Zac and Jessie had orthodontist appointments that we were glad they were quick because we all were headed to the NCAA National championship game. Mercato partners were in town and invited Aaron and I to the game with them. Aaron had a U of U alum that had a friend that had tried to sell his tickets that he couldn't use but ended up giving them to us. Amazing! As you all probably know, it was the best game ever. What an incredible finish! All of us were stoked we got to be there.
Dad joined me as I visited part of two Zone meetings before meeting with Aaron to take one of our departing missionaries to the airport. She is one of the sweetest, genuine and hard working missionary. Always difficult but I also know they need to move on to their next journey in life. After picking up the kids from school I ran around doing last minute preparations for the kids trip to Jamaica. I picked up Bode’s required reading book, snacks for the plane ride, sunscreen to prevent sunburns (I pray that they will remember to put it on often) and other odds and ends. Oh and at 5:30 Zac mentions he only has one swimsuit so we went looking for swimsuits for Zac. Late dinner, finish packing and kids sent to bed. Exhausting day.
I took the kids to airport bright and early this morning. I am excited for them to be with their cousins, grandma and grandpa and go to Jamaica but it is still hard for me to see them leave. After dropping them off I headed to our specialized training we have for the new missionaries after they have been here for 8 weeks. The emphasis is on teaching people not lessons. It is a chance to lesson plan and share ideas of how to best do that now that they have some teaching experience. I went on a wonderful bike ride this evening that was refreshing to my whole body. It’s been a while since I have been able to ride so it was joyful.
Thursday morning we left early for our temple trip with the missionaries that leave next week. The temple is always a place of peace and comfort. I love the blessings of the temple and that I can be renewed when I go. We had our traditional Paul’s Pizza lunch afterwards that everyone enjoys. Since getting Texas insurance for the jeep I haven't taken the next steps to getting it registered but finally I took it to get inspected today. Yeah me. Side note: I'm lucky to experience a little of the kids trip through pictures. They are having a lot of fun!
I headed yet again to the airport but this time to take my dad to head back to Utah. I am sad he is going home but I think a month was a long time for him. I sensed he wanted to get back to his routine. I am pretty sure I took him to the mall more times in the last two weeks then he has been in 5 years. What a trooper! Thanks dad for coming along with me. 😊 Afterwards I attended the Friendswood zone meeting. They did great training and I enjoyed being with them. The whole zone had participated in the District Spring Challenge so I bought lunch for all them. On my way home I was able to register the jeep and now have Texan plates. Feeling very Texan now.
We headed to the temple today as one of our returned missionaries is being sealed to his family. It was a joy to see the happiness this brought to him and his parents. So happy for them. I finally signed Zac up for his first drive time with the driver’s education school. You can only sign up at one on Saturday and if you don't long in right at one all the spots are gone. Even being ready to go I almost didn't get him one. Such a pain. 😝 A Highlight for Aaron and I this week as a couple we got to go mountain biking together and a pretty decent trail. The trail was not much of a challenge for him but lots of fun! I on the other hand was experiencing some anxiety from it being unknown so I struggled wanting to take inclines head on, feared not being able to unclip and crashed a few times because of my lack of confidence. So I some up my experience as I was a wimp but pushed through to the end but it could have been a lot more fun if I could have gotten out of my own way. Next time I will do better, conquer a few of my fears and enjoy a lot more!!!!
Looking back on this week……I did a lot of driving. 😊 Lots of fun! Can't wait to see the kids tomorrow!